The Mughal and Maratha Periods
The history of Jagatsinghpur comprises the influence of Hindu, Muslim, Maratha, and British realms. The East India Company established their arsenals at Hariharpur in the 1600s. Jagatsinghpur emerged as a revenue village during the Maratha rule, named after Jagat Singh, the son of Bhagat Singh, who collected taxes for the Marathas.
"Jagatsinghpur played a key role in the administrative organization under the Marathas before becoming a vital location for the British."
British Rule & Freedom Movement
During the Paika Vidroha (Rebellion of Paikas) in 1817, Hariharpur was a key location, but soon after, Jagatsinghpur gained prominence. The British renamed Hariharpur Thana as Jagatsinghpur Thana and, eventually, the district became part of the British administrative structure.
In the fight for independence, the district contributed significantly to the freedom movement. Leaders like Gopabandhu Das made Congress activities popular, while the Alaka Ashram became a training ground for volunteers.
Ancient & Medieval History
Jagatsinghpur, being on the Odisha Coastal Plain, has much of the same history as the rest of Coastal Odisha. It was briefly ruled by the Mauryas, and several coins from the Mauryan period have been found in the district. Afterwards, it formed part of the Chedi kingdom under Kharavela.
Although Samudragupta conquered the territory during his extensive conquest, there is no evidence that the later Guptas controlled Jagatsinghpur directly. However, Gupta support to Buddhist monasteries in the region has been recorded.
Post-Independence Era
After independence, Jagatsinghpur was once more declared as a Revenue Sub-Division in 1967. Finally, in April 1993, Jagatsinghpur was declared an independent district by the state government.
Today, Jagatsinghpur is a vibrant district, with a blend of historical significance and modern development, remembering its rich past while progressing into the future.